EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The only guy that was asking to fight leglock master Rousimar Palhares proved exactly why he wanted the fight.

Underdog Alan Belcher not only beat “Toquinho” in less than one round, he did it in the most shocking manner possible: engaging the jiu-jitsu wizard on the floor.

The UFC on FOX 3 fight took place at IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. It aired on the evening’s FOX-broadcast main card following preliminary bouts that aired on FUEL TV and streamed on Facebook.com.

After a brief feeling-out process, Palahares ducked in on a single-leg takedown and took Belcher to the floor, but it was “The Talent” who actually engaged in the first submission attempts, searching incredibly for a twister. It didn’t work, and Palhares went to attack the right leg. Belcher alertly kept his weight down and pulled the appendage to safety. However, the Brazilian continued to attack the leg, switching over for a heel hook. Belcher again pulled free and surprisingly elected to stay on the ground with his foe rather than return to his feet.

It was a wise decision.

Belcher immediately unleashed powerful elbows and punches that landed flush, and Palhares folded under the onslaught. Referee Dan Miragliotta halted the surprising effort with 42 seconds left in the first round.

“I’ve been training my whole life for this, and I think this win puts me in the top of the division,” Belcher said. “I’m improving time after time, and I trained a lot of anti-jiu-jitsu positions in camp, and it was instinct to counter what he did on the ground. I saw him give up when they didn’t work. I could see it in his eyes, and I knew it was my time. I finally landed one big elbow that go through and knocked him out. This is the best I’ve ever felt in victory.”

Palhares concurred.

“I expect everyone I fight in the UFC to be just as skilled on the ground as me, so it was no surprise that he could counter what I did,” he said. “I was trying my best to utilize my game plan, but he hit me with one shot that dazed me, and I was unable to continue the way in which I needed to.”

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